Situated in the idyllic, central belt of Italy lie the regions of Tuscany and Liguria. One reason to visit would simply be the cuisine on it’s own. Both regions boasting delicious gastronomy with great olive oil, wines, truffle and pastas respectively but then there’s the scenery.

At the uppermost tip of Tuscany you find the Province of Pisa and its world heritage site – famed for it’s leaning tower and the white structures of the Duomo and Baptistry. Pisa is well worth the trip to see these architectural wonders and spend an hour in the evening sun next to the green lawns, amused by the many tourists attempting to line up with the tower. As you travel inland you enter the Province of Lucca, and a stones through from Pisa is the walled city of Lucca its self. With its Roman heart is cultured, peaceful and evocative. The place is brimming with piazzas, churches and cobbled lanes.

Further north and not to be missed are Valle del Serchio or Garfagnana with their characteristic villages – among them Borgo a Mozzano, famous for its spectacular Devil’s Bridge. As well as both Coreglia Antelminelli and Barga – enchanting Medieval villages with prized architecture and breath taking views. Lakes and spectacular mountain passes are found in abundance.

Bordering Tuscany in the region of Liguria is the Province of La Spezia. Changing landscapes succeed each other and create glorious sceneries. The Cinque Terre, composed of five villages that are made up from pastel-hued buildings, provides a breath taking backdrop to the crystalline Ligurian Sea. These picturesque villages are backed by stretches of hills that are covered by olive trees and woods that dominate the landscape. But an afternoon spent in Manarola, where you can watch cliff divers and sun bathers in their droves whilst drinking crisp white wine and eating anti pasti really is the epitome of this trip. La Dolce Vita.

If you’re a seasoned festival goer in search of something fresh, or you’re after an antidote to the hedonistic vibes of the British festival season, L’Atitude 13° North Beach and Wellness Festival in Barbados might just be the answer.

The free festival takes place on the beautiful Caribbean island from 2nd to 3rd September and is promising the perfect blend of wellbeing and Bajan beats. More fun than a yoga retreat, better for the soul than an all-night rave, it is a celebration of the quality of life in Barbados that everyone is invited to sample a taste of. From reggae you can’t help but move to being performed on the main stage, to massage and yoga tents, to the BBQ on the beach closing both days, there’s plenty to experience and the party wraps up at 10pm so you’ll even get a good night’s rest instead of clambering through a field of tents in the rain at 3am.

This is the first ever time the festival has been run, but it’s already being hailed as the beach and wellness festival of the Caribbean. Designed for the locals, and bringing together some of the island’s best music stars, fitness instructors and wellness professionals, this is one of the most authentic experiences tourists can have of Barbados.

Serving up feel-good vibes are reggae, soul, and funk artists including Biggie Irie and Debbie Reifer. Biggie Irie is the not-to-be-missed name whose stage presence gets any party started with catchy soca/reggae tunes. Born in the UK and moving to Barbados at the age of three, Biggie Irie has been working in music since 1986 and is a household name across the Caribbean. Debbie Reifer, a relative newcomer, has already won over audiences with her richly soulful voice and smooth R’n’B songs, which have even caught the attention of filmmakers, with her music featuring heavily on the soundtrack for locally-produced, internationally-acclaimed movie ‘Chrissy’.

Other names confirmed on the line-up include David Kirton, DJ D.Luxe, and Israel Lovell Foundation. We guarantee you’ll come back feeling refreshed and restored with a new-found love of Bajan culture and a whole new Spotify playlist to prove it.

L’Atitude 13° North Barbados Beach and Wellness Festival takes place from 2nd to 3rd September 2017 on the Hilton Peninsula and is free of charge, though fees apply to some fitness classes and treatments. For more information visit www.visitbarbados.org

If like us you aren’t aware of the intertwined history of chocolate and the island of the Grenada, House of Chocolate in a must. Part museum, part café and another part chocolate store, here you can learn the history of cocoa and it’s many used from one of the friendly staff members. Of course, you’ll also be able to sample the many chocolate treats they have on offer from milkshakes to icecream or of course, just grab a bar of their great Grenada made chocolate to bring back home with you. House of Chocolate is located at #10 Young Street, Saint George’s, Grenada.

Concord Waterfalls

Istock

Simply put, the Concord Falls are a Grenada must see. Located in the St John Parish and easily by car, the falls have two pools the bottom of which is extremely deep and the perfect cool down following the short trek there. Some choose to dive from the high cliffs down into the around eighteen feet pool below, which we won’t say we can recommend but locals from the area have been known to take the deep plunge. We recommend booking Concord waterfall & River Antoine distillery as part of an island tour book with Caribbean Horizons (www.caribbeanhorizons.com), prices depend on number booked for the full day tour. Or, hire a car from £55per day from the same company and self-drive: both attractions are free to enter and open to the public.

Rainforest Walk

If you’re looking for a hike through the Grenadian rainforest it’s best you find an expert of the land and Telfor Bedau has you covered. Whatever your fitness level, Telfor can find a walking route to suit you and your travel group. Taking us through Grand Etang National Park, Telfor proved his genius as he pointed out the various fruits, plants and animals in the area and regaled us with tales of his amazing walking career and kayaking feats. If walking is not your thing, we’d highly recommend taking a short trip if only to spend an hour in Telfor’s company and hear his amazing stories about his life and history of Grenada.

While Grenada is well known for its spices, few know about the great work being done on cocoa farms across the island and there’s no better place to learn than on the Crayfish Bay Organic Estate. The fully organic farm is run by the wonderfully charismatic and informative Kim Russell and his wife, Lylette who taught us about the history of cocoa farming and chocolate making on the island.

This isn’t your run of the mill guided tour, Kim showed us his homemade workstations and really took the time to talk us through his process and their upcoming products and schemes to pump money back into the local farming economy. They also offer self-catering accommodation in a pleasant little house starting at $50USD a night perfect for anyone looking to experience rural Grenada.

Adventure Jeep Tour and River Tubing

Those travelling with teenagers or just looking for a thrilling ride, then the Adventure Grenada have you covered. A short 45-minute drive out of St Georges you’ll reach the Balthazar River also known as Grenada’s great river.After a quick safety briefing you’re in your tube and zooming down the scenic river surrounded by tropical flowers and the echo of gushing water and the various exotic birds in the area.

Throughout the ride you’ll stop natural pools giving you the chance to take a dip in the refreshing water and relax from the exhilarating experience. At the end of the ride you’ll be treated to a (albeit strong) rum punch because it’d Grenada and if it’s not rum punch, it’s not a drink worth having. [Enjoy responsibly]

Patrick’s Homestyle Cooking

Lagoon Road,St. George’s 11473, Grenada If you’re looking to try a bit of everything while in Grenada then Patrick’s is a great starting point. Opt for the tapas styled small plates and taste a little bit of all the slands amazing dishes. Placing a visit near the start of your trip will give you a great idea of what the whole island has to offer. With everything from callaloo soup to curry goat and saltfish, you’ll leave satisfied and ready to explore the sland. Each dish is unique and just when you think you’ve tasted it all, Patrick will surprise you with new flavours found only in Grenada.

The Aquarium Restaurant

Point Salines, Saint George, Grenada For lunch/dinner with a beach view, look no further than The Aquarium Restaurant. I ordered the Tuna Steak from the grill and it was cooked to perfection and you could taste the freshness through the great spices. Nothing is more romantic than watching the crashing waves and listening to their live reggae band who perform from 3pm onwards. There’s also an Aquarium inside the restaurant filled with tropical fish and turtles! It’s clear to see why honeymooners, families, solo travellers and locals all felt at home at this wonderful spot. Reservations are advised especially in peak holiday times.

BB’s Crabback

Grand Etang Road, St George’s, Grenada Quite simply, do not leave Greneda without stopping into BB’s! Located on the waterfront you can enjoy a rum punch and watch as the boats sail through The Carenage. The crab backs which give BB’s its name are simply to die for. I would say this was hands down the if not one of the best local restaurant on the island with a simple and traditional Grenadan menu and friendly service – the good really speaks for itself. Offering an extensive food and drinks menu, even locals regularly choose to dine at BB’s and their legendary cuisine is known throughout the Caribbean.

Sandals La Source

www.sandals.co.uk

If you’ve ever stayed in one of the Sandals resorts elsewhere, you’ll know that you’ll be greeted like royalty the second you land. If you are or travelling with anybody that’s elderly, with children or just anyone that’s a nervous to be in such a different landscape; we highly recommend booking a stay if only for the first nights with Sandals just to ease your group into what can become quite a frantic holiday.

The resort features 10 restaurants, butler service, unlimited premium brand drinks, anytime airport transfer, free wifi, 3 freshwater swimming pools and 2 river pools or just enjoy the private beach right on your doorstep. Just a note for anyone who isn’t used to all-inclusive, the price you pay on booking is all you pay. That means there is no need to bring your cash down to the bar or restaurant at any point and it allows for you to be more adventurous with your dining choices.

With 10 restaurants, you’ll be hard pressed to try all the varying cuisine on offer but it does allow for great collective dining experiences as you and your party get to a try a bit of everything on offer. Unlimited use of their tennis and volleyball courts, nightly entertainment and the only resort to offer unlimited scuba diving as standard, it’s surprisingly easy to indulge your holiday away without having to leave the resort. It must also be said that the staff as Sandals La Source are without question some of the most hospitable, competent and friendly hotel staff I have ever come across. No request is too outlandish nor was any quibble (not that we had many) too small for them to fix, they felt truly invested in making sure you had the best time while staying with them. It’s understandable, the staff are mostly locals and brimming with pride when discussing their homeland and they are happy to have Sandals and to meet so many different people who have chosen their small island for their summer getaways.

Sandals certainly has its place in Grenada for the traveller looking to unwind without any stress or chance of stress. At Sandals, you’ll escape the fear of an unknown environment and different lifestyles and just enjoy your time on a beautiful resort. Newlyweds, mature travellers and returning visitors will enjoy Sandals and every last amenity it has to offer.

Kalinago Beach Resort

www.kalinagobeachresort.com

If you prefer the lore of a more real experience, we suggest you stay Kalinago Beach Resort. The resort is located right on the beachfront and you’ll receive a very local experience as studentsand locals head down to enjoy their weekend

While Kalinago has a wonderful private bar, a few steps down the beach you’ll find ‘La Ply Wood Beach Bar Cafe’ where the medical students and locals young and old like to hang out. The colourful bar is also home to, in my opinion, one of the best rum punches Grenada has to offer. On weekends expect to find local students and travellers alike down on the water. One thing to remember about Grenada is that everyone is so friendly that even as a solo traveller you’ll find plenty of opportunities for great conversation and you’d prefer chilled alone time, park yourself by the hotel’s pool and dive into a good book.

Located on Morne Rouge Bay which is also known as BBC Beach, you’ll find many attractions in the area. If you’re the betting type, head forThe Owl Sports a short walk from the resort and witness their crab racing events for a truly unique experience.

You can also hire out kayaks and snorkel gear free of charge which we highly recommend you take advantage of. Many boat tours include Morne Rouge Bay as a viewpoint so definitely take advantage of the wonderful view from the sea in your own time and at your own pace. The rooms are spacious and the breakfast simple but very tasty featuring Grenadian classics such as plantain and Caribbean fish fritters. Their lunch and dinner menus offer a mixture of Creole and international gourmet dishes infused with spices from the island.

The staff on the resort are all very friendly and happy to help with transfers to and from the airport and anywhere else on the island that you need to go. If you can, definitely attend their weekly manager’s drinks to chat with the great running the resort who all offer great insights and tips for your stay.

We’d recommend Kalinago for the younger, solo and adventurous traveller looking to find their own fun in Grenada. If you’re looking for luxurious dining within the hotel walls and a purely exclusive experience, this probably isn’t for you but if you’re looking for charm, look no further than Kalinago Beach Resort.

This travel season, FAULT Travel have been over the world trying to find the best destinations for summer 2017 but unfortunately, all the hours in the air haven’t done wonders for our beauty regimes. To combat this, we’ve selected the best products which helped us keep our beauty regiment on track whilst on the move.

Today, we’re turning to oral hygiene and we’ve found the best toothpaste for you to pack into your in-flight luggage. We say “toothpaste” but in fact, it isn’t a paste at all; it’s a tablet.

Regardless what class you fly, you’ll never get a phenomenal night’s sleep while travelling and uncomfortable sleep will usually lead to an uncomfortable awakening. Packing toothpaste whether in your carry-on or checked luggage is always a pain, you either risk it bursting in your luggage and if you’re not planning to check your luggage – you’re going to have to specifically find a tiny tube which is under the liquid allowance of the airport you’re flying out from. However, Lush have created the answer to all our woes with their latest line of Toothy tabs!

With a 22 hour flight on the horizon, our travel team packed their sample bottles in their carry-ons and were off down under.

Waking up from a very uncomfortable night’s sleep in a middle seat, it was time for an in-flight refresh. I took the ‘Boom’ and ‘Oral Pleasure’ tabs with me. According to the package, one tab is enough however for the sake of the review I wanted to try more of a variety. The tablets are really small but they sure pack a punch. Chewing on the ‘Boom!’ tab, which is infused with powdered charcoal, gunpowder tea, pepper oil and ground chilli, it made for a strangely pleasant brushing sensation to experience first thing. The spicy cola felt like a black of freshness inside my mouth and the packaging did not lie, one tab was truly enough to leave me feeling refreshed and awake for the rest of my journey.

After checking in, it was time to try out the humorously named ‘Oral Pleasure’ tabs. I found the taste was more sweet and far more subtle than the ‘Boom’ tabs. If you’re not one for the big burst of spice, then this flavour would be more up your street. The sweeter taste of passion fruit and electric daisies made for a soothing brush which was great for a just before bed. Both tabs dissolved after a few bites and despite it seeming like a new fangled idea – the act of brushing isn’t too dissimilar to using conventional toothpaste.

While we primarily planned to focus this review of the uses while in transit, we actually found the tabs very useful throughout the trip and even at home. Throughout summer I packed the tabs on my way to festivals, overnight hikes and even packed them in my “keep fresh” kit for Fashion week. I can recount times previously at all of these where my toothpaste has managed to leak and stain my handbags and other luggage but with these, I was safe from such threats.

In short, we loved the toothy tabs for at home and away! With the added bonus of the toothy tabs being vegan and using natural ingredients, we couldn’t recommend them enough. For more information head over to Lush.com

FAULT Magazine has just returned from a sunny trip to Santa Monica, LA, as guests of Jameson Whisky. We flew out to view the winning films of this years Jameson First Shot Competition. It’s a once in a lifetime chance for three filmmakers to direct and produce a short film starring Hollywood legend Uma Thurman and to work closely with Kevin Spacey as both the Creative Director and Producer.

The competition is fully supported by Jameson First Shot & Trigger Street Productions and allows new talent access to Hollywood filmmaking in a creative space that was never before obtainable.

The winning films were showcased at an industry party at the YouTube Space in Los Angeles, before being released to millions of viewers on YouTube.

The three new shorts THE MUNDANE GODDESS (writer/director: Henco J), THE GIFT (writer/director: Ivan Petukhov) and JUMP! (writer/director: Jessica Valentine) can be viewed below.

Keep an eye out for our interviews with Uma Thurman & Kevin Spacey, which will be featured in the next issue of FAULT Magazine (Issue 19).

The current exhibition at The Fashion Institute in Antwerp is a must for all fashion fans. Hosted by the Royal Academie, to celebrate it’s 50th birthday, the MoMu pays homage to its varied and renowned students- with particular attention to the emergence of experimental rule-breakers ‘The Antwerp Six” (plus number seven member Martin Margiela), with a whole room devoted to rare outfits and images. Interestingly it is Margiela who, after graduating, scored his dream job with Jean Paul Gaulthier, and became a globally recognized name, although all have become successful in their own right.

With such a vast back catalogue of work, the exhibition is divided into sections, encompassing the stairs and corridors; The main floor of the gallery is also divided up into several rooms featuring original designs and informative information from the cream of the school’s fifty-year graduates to provide an in depth and insightful portrait of it’s colourful history.

Beginning its life as a Fashion College in 1963, Antwerp rose to fame with the exceedingly talented group of Fashion Academie friends in the 80s. The infamous ‘Antwerp Six’ headed to London in the height of the New Romantic era, and woo-ed the British fashion press and buyers, resulting in first orders from Barneys in New York, and coverage in the Face and i-D magazines.

They have consequently influenced a whole new generation of designers. Consisting of Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Deumeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Marina Yee and Dirk van Saene, the classmates play an important role as mentors for current and past students, and Walter Van Beirendonck, one of the most recognizable faces of the group, has helmed the programme since 1985.

Innovative, adventurous collections are the key to the school’s teaching, and you will not find anything ordinary. Taking a step back in time, or referencing the future, all the designers chosen for the show demonstrate a flair for the high fashion phenomenon, and many have gone on to work for international design houses, become stylists or art directors. Actively encouraged to seek inspiration from around the world, Antwerp is a great place to study. Accessible to many other European cities, and with a friendly, laid back feel, it is no wonder it draws applications from all around the world.

Co-inciding with the Fashion College’s fiftieth birthday, is the Royal Academies 350th celebration. With a strong heritage for mentoring some of the most well known names in the art world, choosing from the back catalogue must have meant some very tough decisions for the curators.

The exhibition dedicated to the Academie is also a must see for visitors and tackles questions such as ‘Does art have to be beautiful?’ and ‘Are you born an artist, or can art be learned?’ Housed on the docklands in the modern MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), this impressive glass building takes you on a journey through the most memorable pieces of artwork from the last 350 decades. Juxtaposing veterans like Jacob Jordaens and Vincent Van Gogh with more recent alumni such as Panamarenko, Fred Bervoets ‘Plato’ under one roof in a busy yet strangely calm environment. For me, the star attraction is the impressive “Golden Wall” showcasing the best of 350 years of the Academie; Please note to take some time to appreciate the sheer volume of work displayed!

Both exhibitions are showing until January 2014, and are ideal to visit on a weekend trip.
Renowned as much for it’s art and design as it’s shopping, Antwerp has numerous boutiques to take inspiration from too, and the Fashion in Antwerp shopping app, is a great way to navigate your way around the city; And with a Karl Lagerfeld concept store opening in October, there has been no better time to visit.

As I step delicately from my cab onto the pavement in front of Grosvenor House’s main entrance, my eye is immediately drawn to the gold-plated crest emblazoned on the property’s wrought iron gates. A doorman greets my cabbie with a smile and proceeds to whisk my luggage into the massive lobby of the hotel. I can hear my heels tap tapping on the marble as I make my across the room to the check-in counter. Within minutes, I am on the lift en route to my suite (one of 74 in the hotel), which just so happens to overlook Hyde Park.

The étoile wallpaper and opulent furnishings—think rich, red cushions, Art Deco marble bathrooms and thick, cream-colored curtains—act as an homage to the hotel’s storied history. (In fact, the inspiration behind the majority of the décor can be found in the hotel archives.) Sprawled out on the enormous king-size bed, I can understand why celebrities and dignitaries have flocked to Grosvenor House for all these years: I feel quite like a princess.

Speaking of princesses, Queen Elizabeth II was a frequent visitor at Grosvenor House when she was a small child. In fact, she learnt to ice skate on the rink that used to be housed in what is now The Great Room. A painting that hangs in the lobby shows The Great Room as it was in the hotel’s youth: Hundreds of figures, all robed in the finest silks and jewels, skate and swirl around the rink—a dizzying blur of color that perfectly captures the spirit of decadence that is ever-present at Grosvenor House.

The word “decadence” can be used to describe more than the furnishings, though—the food at Grosvenor House is simply divine. Guests arriving in the afternoon would be wise to sit down for a cup of tea. From 17 June to 12 July, the hotel will host daily Wimbledon-themed afternoon teas in honor of the celebrated Wimbledon Tennis Championship. The menu for this special service includes an assortment of delicate pastries, finger sandwiches and scones made in true British style (Devonshire clotted cream included). Tea time is a regular treat at Grosvenor House, though. Even children can sit down for a cuppa (and leave with their very own Grover, a plush toy named after the hotel’s eponymous bulldog).

If tea time isn’t on the itinerary, though, follow my lead and sit down for dinner at JW Steakhouse. As an American in London, I am trying my best to eschew the types of food I would normally find at restaurants back home in favor of trying out true, British dishes. Apparently, though, American steak is kind of a big deal, even across the Pond.

The walls of the JW Steakhouse serve as a giant menu board. The items are written in chalk, which is a good thing, since the menu varies with the season and the types of beef available. Not feeling a T-bone? Don’t fret—the restaurant is famous for it’s signature steak: The Tomahawk. This impressive 32-ounce, on-the-bone rib-eye is the Mother of All Steaks. It’s massive—I swear, the thing might actually be the size of my head.

Seeing as how a steak of that size is much too much for someone like me, I opt for a sample of a smaller fillet. My meal is rounded out with a mistmatched menagerie of side dishes, which include onion rings, scalloped potatoes and roasted vegetables. Although I try to be healthy by ordering vegetables, all my good intentions are flung unceremoniously out the window as my waiter brings out one of the restaurant’s now-famous cheesecakes. (After all, if it’s good enough for Johnny Depp—a fan of both the restaurant and this cheesecake—then it’s definitely good enough for me.) And good it most certainly is.

As I stagger back to my room (on the verge of a food coma), I remember the soft, luxurious robes and state-of-the-art shower waiting for me back in my suite and let out a small, satisfied sigh. This is the life.